Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

This week, we'll study the final chapters of Proverbs together. While this book offers a wealth of practical advice and instruction, I wonder if you've ever felt overwhelmed reading it. One chapter of Proverbs can feel like trying to drink from a fire hydrant, similar to how I bet my teenage son feels when I rattle off a long list of instructions while I'm at work. Maybe you've sometimes felt like him as you've studied, wondering what part of the chapter you most need to S.O.A.P. when there are so many wise sayings to consider and apply! 

While our daily readings are often broken down by chapter, reading slower or less is okay. Even just one saying or a small section of Proverbs can be enough to reflect on and practice! The daily readings are simply a guide. I always ask God to speak to me as I read, then I try to follow His lead. Sometimes, His leading feels like a gentle nudge in my spirit to be curious about something. Other times, His leading feels more like a strong jolt. In either case, it's helpful to pause and ask God to show us what He wants us to know in those moments. 

This week, I'll share things God showed me THIS time. They might have been different another day or week! Perhaps as you study these chapters, He'll highlight something else entirely for you, and I hope you'll pause and use S.O.A.P. to be curious as He does. 

Proverbs 26, verse 12 struck a chord in my heart: "Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." This chapter opens with eleven scathing verses about the fool, then says there is more hope for that guy (someone who despises wisdom, ignores correction, and walks in destruction) than for someone who arrogantly assumes their understanding or solution to a situation or problem is right or best. This idea is echoed in at least 36 other verses in scripture. 

Verse 12 urges us to humbly seek Godly wisdom instead of relying solely on our own knowledge, opinion, perception, or understanding. When tempted to do so, what if we were first to ask God what David asked in Psalm 139: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." I find that when I pause and ask God to search me first, He expands my perspective, and He certainly points out any pride. Pausing shapes the posture of my heart, and even when my position doesn't necessarily change, the tone of my response often does. Perhaps this is the real difference between the wise guy and a truly wise person: our capacity to listen for understanding and respond with humility. 

Reading this verse reminded me of parenting. I sensed the Holy Spirit call out my pride. I felt conviction to suspend judgment and assumption for curiosity more often, listen to understand first, and be more open to his perspective, experience, and wisdom, regardless of what I assume is best. You see, humility necessitates a willingness to receive wisdom from others, even 13-year-old boys! We can't receive if we're always the ones talking, teaching, or correcting. 

God uses His Word, His Holy Spirit, and other people to teach and correct. While this can be challenging, choosing humility over pride enables us to suspend judgment and assumption for curiosity and creates space for other perspectives, ideas, and solutions. 

Are you teachable? Do you lead with curiosity, leaning in with a listening heart in interactions with others? Do you invite feedback and welcome other perspectives? Do you respond with kindness, grace, and humility? 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, guard me from the pride that blinds and hardens. Help me not to be wise in my own eyes, but to humbly seek Your wisdom every day, and to be open to receiving wisdom from others. Keep my heart teachable, my spirit soft, and my eyes fixed on You. Amen.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

• SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
• OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises? 
• APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 
• PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.